Happy New Year 2020

Welcome 2020, it's going to be a great year.

Quite a few years ago, I worked for a boss who was the absolute definition of horrible. In every way, he made my life a nightmare. It was my sincere pleasure to finally get to a point when I could safely quit my job and move on.

The problem? I really liked the people who would be filling in for me after I left. I didn’t want to leave them with a mess. I wanted them to succeed. I worked my tail off in the final weeks of that job to leave a full list of how to do the job and who to contact when with questions on pretty much any issue.

Six months after I left, I ran into the person who took over full time after I left. He thanked me for leaving all the information I left behind; that it really helped. I liked that, and I’ve never forgotten it.

Today I had to find a lawyer to help provide some advice about the wording of a policy at my non-profit. I thought about who I could call and didn’t immediately have any ideas. I eventually remembered a lawyer I worked with at another non-profit years before. I set up the appointment.

It made me think of the contacts we collect over the years and how they can be really helpful even decades later.

I need to add to my red binder. I need to create a list for everyday contacts, not just emergency contacts. I need to write down the day to day people who help me do the work I do.

From the woman I met at a networking meeting who taught me how to run my accounting software. To the graphic designer who used to be my competition (in another life) who is now our regular designer. And now the lawyer I worked with at a different non-profit over 15 years ago.

These contacts are critical helplines when you are just starting out. No one left me any of these lists when I first started but I’m certainly not going to leave it that way. I want the person who replaces me after I retire (or win the lottery) to step into the job with a full list of contacts to do the job.

It’s a new year and time to check the tire pressure on all the policies and procedures.

It’s a new year and time to check the tire pressure on all the policies and procedures to make sure anyone can find them, use them, and succeed. I think that sounds like a great way to start off the new year.

Happy New Year everyone!

Thanks for reading!

-Christie

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Hi, I'm Christie Saas, former board member, current Executive Director, and non-profit volunteer. I remember well, those early years when I lacked the training, the confidence, and the work-life balance to focus on becoming the best non-profit leader I could be.

Fast-forward past many bumps in the road, lessons learned, and you’ll find me still in the trenches, but a little wiser, a little calmer, and a whole lot happier. I love my work and I want to help you love yours too.

I created ChristieSaas.com to give you tools, tips, and templates to remove the mystery of learning to run a small non-profit. If you’re a brand-new non-profit leader, or a little more seasoned, someone who’s looking to make a meaningful contribution and still have time for a full life away from the job, you’re in the right place.

© Christie Saas 2020 All Rights Reserved

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